3 definitions found for Sexton beetle

Necrophore Nec"ro*phore, n. [Gr. ? a dead body + ? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of beetles of the genus Necrophorus and allied genera; -- called also burying beetle, carrion beetle, sexton beetle.

Sexton Sex"ton, n. [OE. sextein, contr. fr. sacristan.] An under officer of a church, whose business is to take care of the church building and the vessels, vestments, etc., belonging to the church, to attend on the officiating clergyman, and to perform other duties pertaining to the church, such as to dig graves, ring the bell, etc. Sexton beetle (Zo["o]l.), a burying beetle.

Carrion Car"ri*on, a. Of or pertaining to dead and putrefying carcasses; feeding on carrion. A prey for carrion kites. --Shak. Carrion beetle (Zo["o]l.), any beetle that feeds habitually on dead animals; -- also called sexton beetle and burying beetle. There are many kinds, belonging mostly to the family Silphid[ae]. Carrion buzzard (Zo["o]l.), a South American bird of several species and genera (as Ibycter, Milvago, and Polyborus), which act as scavengers. See Caracara. Carrion crow, the common European crow (Corvus corone) which feeds on carrion, insects, fruits, and seeds.